Double dose of virus

            What was supposed to be a relaxing massage in the tropics ended up being a bit more menacing. Near the end of my session, my european specialist was frustrated with my inability to relax my arm. "You are protecting your heart. There is something wrong in your life, something that makes you stressed. I don't know what it is, but in other patients its usually abuse of some sort." She tried to massage my arm a bit more, shook it, resumed her frustrated stance and said, "something in your life needs to change. I don't know what it is, but I am worried for you."


           Skip ahead to midway through my first semester of teaching, where I fall terribly ill. Sick enough to find myself in a hospital stay and then upon release to find myself trying as hard as I can to recover for two weeks. I had a sub for my class three times and then only worked when absolutely necessary. Constantly at the maximum pain medicine I could have, I somehow made it through those weeks, and only at the cost of the people who loved me being there almost 24/7 to make sure I was eating, and not dead. My favorite part was when people kept asking me if I was eating (no) or sleeping (no) or if I was getting better (no). It was a surprising experience for me as I'm usually in great health, haven't missed work due to sickness for almost 8 years, and when I am sick, it's normally chalked up to allergies. I literally did nothing for two weeks, so in response to "which great movies did you get caught up on" I would say, "what did you think I was doing?" I still get follow up comments about how terrible I looked, or that they are so glad that I am feeling better.

         In retrospect, I do not think my masseuse in Costa Rica was out to curse me. I do think (and maybe a little bit agree with her) that the amount of stress in my life had a bit to do with my demise. However, I don't know what course I would have taken to not get that sick. Besides, if I'm going to do anything, I'm going to do it with all my heart and soul, so if I'm going to get a virus from one family that leaves me bedridden and near dead - I may as well get two of those from the same family at the same time. 

       I slowly got better. I have a lot more understanding for people who get sick and need two weeks to recover. I've finally been there. I know what that is like, and for the record, it is hell. I do not want to go there again for so many reasons.  Just in case you do get a massage in the future and they look concerned when they are massaging your arm, I'll give you some advice. Don't ask probing questions. Just pretend that you don't notice their concern and be relaxed. It's better to not know what is coming...

ps. I started getting a sore throat recently and immediately started drinking a gallon of water a day and sleeping as often as I could. The annoyance of having to go to the bathroom every second FAR outweighs a relapse into anything even resembling this sickness.

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